Curb Appeal: Old building can be made to look young again

Suzanne Rowe, The Gazette01.28.2013

This multiplex has potential, but needs a colourful, strong visual impact - and landscaping to hide recycling bins. Shutters and a hint of bold, earthy red make the front of this multiplex look younger.

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The charm of this urban multiplex is not yet evident. Its new proprietor is a talented graphic artist whose other passion is renovating old buildings.

Before he sent me a photo of the façade, he had already proceeded to change the old windows for black ones. Adding black shutters will give presence to the openings and visually balance with the new incoming contrasting doors. For an edgier take, the doors would be minimalist in style but bold on colour.

Throughout our email exchanges, the colours black and cognac emerged. Although black is a safe, elegant and classic choice for the doors, the façade would look sombre. To offer a stronger visual impact, adding a hit of bold earthy red would make the front look younger.

Scaled-up lanterns and silver or black, vertically placed digits would dress up the entrances.

All floor surfaces and steps should be painted in a medium grey beige tint. The contours of the floors, made out of vertical siding, ought to be replaced and capped in a smooth wood or aluminum finish in matte black. The front of the lower level steps and the sides of the balcony ought to be closed off and painted ebony.

The railing looks fine, except for chunky, industrial looking handrails. These parts have probably been added over the years, to increase the overall height for safety measures. It looks awkward and un-proportioned compared to the delicate bow-shaped spindles and intricate heart details. To respect the identity of the banister, I propose having the thick and shiny pieces removed to have more appropriate thin iron rods soldered on.

The tired brown bricks are stained, tarnished, damaged by water, pollution and time. A bricklayer informed the owner that removing the old patina by cleaning it would result in a brittle surface. Another radical solution would be to reface the wall with specialized brick paint in a matte finish. These products are very effective, but in this case, since the bricks are so aged, I'm not sure if this operation would be appropriate and a consultation with a professional is recommended.

Sets of three painted black clay pots will be repeated along the front of the floors. These big containers would rest inside metal hoops and supports secured on the facings. White upward and red cascading annuals will fill these with generous blooms worthy of any balconies in Italy. On the top level, two interior plants will furnish the empty wall.

White Clematis will hug one of the railings and soften the staircase. This climbing beauty never requires pruning in spring.

The existing lawn will be discarded and a maintenance free persistent ground cover will carpet the space. Near the iron fence, a dense hedge of shrubs, packed with scarlet berries, will serve as a vegetal curtain to hide the various garbage pails and recycling bins. These bushes thrive in loose and well drained soil. For easy access to these receptacles, the two small barrier doors will be taken down.

The owner hates the look of the trees planted on each side of the lot. Within a few years they will hide most of the windows and could eventually be a threat to the foundation. A couple of smaller Japanese maples with their gorgeous lime-to-gold leaves in summer changing to a blazing orange red foliage in fall will dazzle any passerby. These autumn hues will interact with the new pop of colour from the new doors.

Hopefully, with all the improvements to enhance the curb appeal and value of the property, the tenants will be motivated to keep their balconies free of clutter.

This is a column in which designer Suzanne Rowe selects homes that could benefit from a little inexpensive help in increasing their curb appeal. After examining photographs, she then proceeds to sketch out an artist's rendering of what they could look like with a few minor changes. We hope you enjoy the results.

Most homes can use a little bit of help when it comes to warming up their curb appeal. If you would like some inexpensive ideas on how to improve the appearance of your home, send a clear photo of your house with your commentary to: Suzanne Rowe, Designer, suro@bell.net

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